MOHAWK VALLEY FINE ARTS

In the early days of the “Ohio” (O-hee-yo) Territory, the incoming pioneer trailblazed a world replete with groves of Maple-wood, stands of Hickory , forests of White Pine, and Spruce.

Near the “ Beautiful River ” and its tributaries, he witnessed herds of grazing bison, deer, and elk. Deep within the woodlands, he sighted an occasional black bear, mountain lion, a pack of roving wolves, or a lone eagle in the skies. Occasionally, he might site smoke rising from fires of nearby “Indian” camps.

In celebration of the natal “frontier,” early Ohio’s primal roots – we proudly showcase Mohawk Valley Fine Arts – Studio, Gallery, and Gifts.

Mohawk Valley Fine Arts is the personal Art Gallery & Studio of Artist Joseph Donnelly. As a unique “art center,” it exhibits Donnelly’s original oil paintings, highlighting the Native History & Culture in Ohio – especially during the European “contact period.” The Gallery also specifically hallmarks the influence of the Iroquois in Ohio, as well as the British Superindendence of the Irish-born Sir William Johnson over “all lands north of the Ohio [River].”

Donnelly’s literary works relative to the mound-building culture; the influx of the Delaware Nation; local history relative to the so-called ‘Deerfield Massacre’; his own book of poetry; spiritual reflections on Quaker & Native theology; and his inspiring philosophical work Ohio Woodland Theophany are also central to his Ohioana “art center.”

Donnelly’s own “local history” block prints, sculptures, and free-hand maps of all NE Ohio Native Towns & Trails are of increasing interest to many fellow “Ohioans.”

“It has been of especial concern to me,” states Donnelly, “that Ohio ’s rich Native mores have gone far too long unappreciated. Aside from the names of a few waterways, the historical Native presence in Ohio has been almost altogether erased. "

"By my works of art and my long-running respect for Native “ Ohio ” culture – I have hoped to help restore, in measure, a Native presence."

"Moreover, Sir William Johnson’s Irish-Iroquois (Mohawk) utopia and William Penn’s (Quaker) ‘Holy Experiment’ are of especial interest to me personally, i.e., they were notable early attempts at mutual-respect and multi -culturalism.

Such ties of ‘cultural friendship’ would be seen a century later when the Quakers shipped Native ‘maize’ (donated by the Choctaw) across the Atlantic from America – to feed the thousands of starving Irish during the infamous ‘Potato Famine.’”

Gallery Hours are Tues - Sat 9:00 am - 7:00 pm.

 Guild Membership & Social Events include: Poetry Sharing Night, Native Writings, Native Language Studies, "Board-Game Night," "Punk-n-Pizza Night," a "Bow Shoot" and possible Outdoor Drama Involvement./ "Irish-Mohawk Potato Festival."

The Art Center is located in Berlin Center, Ohio, on the NW corner of State Routes 224 & 534 – only three miles east of Berlin Reservoir, fifteen miles west of Boardman, Ohio .

Visitors Are Welcome!